IIRC a vehicle is required to have two means of braking. So it is an emergency brake but you can use it when parking. A good ideal as long as one releases it when setting off. Especially when parked on a slope with a 7000# trailer!

If at this point you still refuse to use the parking brake even though you acknowledge it doesn't do it with the brake engaged, you deserve to be patronized I'm sorry. Your Jeep is SLIDING DOWN THE ICY DRIVEWAY. Its a matter of physics, not of equipment. You're the one who brought up your Jetta not doing it as evidence that your Jeep should not do it...not me.

I will not let up on it, if you care about safety more than just b!tching...the simple solution is to use the parking brake. You're the one who brought the topic back, not us.

Then follow his advice or stop posting about it. Theres nothing Jeep can do to stop your vehicle from sliding down your icy driveway. As dsi and others have said, this is a matter of physics. The parking brake is there to help combat the forces of physics.

Not sure it's fair to say I was bitching. Please read my original post and any subsequent ones. I never said "I don't use the parking brake" or "The parking brake is not necessary." I suggested it is surprising behavior and unexpected and clearly lots of others believe so, as well. The first time it happened, it's apparent I inadvertently had not used the emergency brake. Not typical of this driver.

I didn't post the videos to prove a point. I posted them after I was able to simulate the original condition so folks could see what happened and, if anything prevent it and help me to understand why it happened. I never said something was wrong with my Jeep.

I asked questions. I received many answers and theories. Some, ahem, more self-aggrandizing than helpful, but there has been some enriching discussion. So thanks to everyone who has chimed in.

One thing I thought about when reading this thread is that the differentials have changed. My 1997 GC for example had a mechanical limited skip and park would probably hold in your scenario. The current electronic limited slip is an open differential when the vehicle is off. Not sure what type limited slip was on your previous vehicles you mentioned.

Not sure it's fair to say I was bitching. Please read my original post and any subsequent ones. I never said "I don't use the parking brake" or "The parking brake is not necessary." I suggested it is surprising behavior and unexpected and clearly lots of others believe so, as well. The first time it happened, it's apparent I inadvertently had not used the emergency brake. Not typical of this driver.

I didn't post the videos to prove a point. I posted them after I was able to simulate the original condition so folks could see what happened and, if anything prevent it and help me to understand why it happened. I never said something was wrong with my Jeep.

I asked questions. I received many answers and theories. Some, ahem, more self-aggrandizing than helpful, but there has been some enriching discussion. So thanks to everyone who has chimed in.

Don't even bother arguing with him, he will chastise whatever you say. Just check his other posts, as all he does is try to confront people and argue with them.

There's allegedly a small 5mm allen screw on the transmission that can be tightened to dis-engage the parking pawl inside the ZF 8 speed. This is for a BMW, which may not be the exact design transmission used in the GC, even though it is the same series.

If that were there, and too tight, the pawl might not engage properly.

The GC has a release in the center console, unfortunately not able to find any details on how that ties mechanically down to the 8 speed, so couldn't offer an informed
WAG on whether ice and cruft could help it release the pawl.

The pawl on the 8 speed is pretty robust--you can't shove the vehicle with it in park IF it is actually engaged--which may be part of the base question here as opposed to just turning on the indicator. The pawl also seems not to be affected by below zero temps IF operating properly.

That was my thought to, that the manual transmission park release on these 8 speeds could be the issue, or a solenoid failure.

My purchasing dealer has a fairly steep approach/parking by their service bays (probably 1 in 6 pitch) where they will park ready to pick up vehicles. I always set the brake there, they NEVER do... I know my JGC will hold just fine on what I would consider a very parking brake worthy grade.

I'm with a lot of other "flatlanders" in that I use the parking brake if there is an incline enough to get the dreaded "clunk" of the pawl, parking on ice, or if I have a trailer on regardless of incline.

Perhaps it would be best to call the parking, er, emergency brake, an auxiliary brake (providing supplementary or additional help and support). Which it does, for either parking or emergency stopping, take your pick.

If you have ever have had your brake pedal go to the floor, I bet your aren't going to care what it is called. In this case, it's an emergency brake!

When I was learning to drive we practiced stopping a car with the emergency brake. It was easier then since you could hold the release lever or button while using the brake. With brakes that you step on to release it is a bit tougher.

Today, I wonder how many people (me included) would think to use it in an emergency situation. I hope I would, but not sure.

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__________________If you need a shoulder to cry on ...... pull over to the side of the road!

Perhaps it would be best to call the parking, er, emergency brake, an auxiliary brake (providing supplementary or additional help and support). Which it does, for either parking or emergency stopping, take your pick.

If you have ever have had your brake pedal go to the floor, I bet your aren't going to care what it is called. In this case, it's an emergency brake!

Nope, it's most definitely a "parking break". You may use it to brake in emergencies, you may use it to break while in park, you may use it to brake when speeding up or slowing down, going left or going right, up a hill or down a hill sideways; It's still a parking break.

Do you not use your standard breaks in emergencies too (kid jumps in front of your car, do you hit your real breaks first, or the thing that you so desperately want to call an "emergency break"?)

I feel bad for the OP and anyone else who (nearly) suffers an accident due to not using the thing, but I'm with the other guy; a common myth in whatever it may be (jay walking, taxes, parking breaks) is a myth or a misconception, and you have a duty to take the appropriate action especially after you've been corrected. There are no excuses at this point, no one can help you (and the kids in danger) but yourself. Put a yellow sticky on your windshield, or hang a tag off your sun visor, anything that helps to remind yourself to set the thing until it becomes habit. This thread really should have been over and closed many posts ago

I've always used the parking break on all my vehicles; mostly because I do everything I can to not abuse my stuff... I always thought (right or wrong) that it would be incredible easy to snap something if it rocked to hard in park, I was paranoid about damaging the tranny so I just got in the habit of setting it all the time.

But now I always have to remember to run after the guy borrowing my car (now my jeep) when I hear the engine roaring but very little progress down the driveway